We believe that the following Statement of Faith summarizes the beliefs of this church and confesses only what is the clear teaching of the Bible. If on any point this Statement deviates from that, the Statement of Faith shall be changed. Members may hold differing personal opinions in some areas of doctrine, while honest discussion, questions and study will always be encouraged and welcomed. However, no difference of opinion shall be permitted to turn into public opposition to the leadership of the Elders. Support of this Statement of Faith does not require complete agreement on every point, but rather a willingness to acknowledge the Elders as the final voice on the doctrine of this fellowship. We believe that the whole Bible is not only the words of men but also the words of God; that it is unfailing and true, and that it is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Rom. 3:2) We believe there is one God, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14). We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth (Gen. 1; Ps. 65; Ps. 104). We believe that Jesus of Nazareth was conceived by the work of God’s Spirit, and that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (Matt. 1:18), suffered under Pontius Pilate (Luke 22:66 – 23:25), was crucified (Luke 23:26-43), died (Luke 23:44-49), was buried (Luke 23:50-56), and that He is true God and true man (John 1:1-4; Phil. 2:5-8). We believe that Jesus rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven where He is now the believer’s High Priest and advocate (Luke 24; Acts 1:3-9; 1 Cor. 15:4; Heb. 7:23-25). We believe the Holy Spirit is a person; that He is God and co-equal with the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and He is our abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide (Eph. 1:13; John 14:16, 17, 26; John 16:13). He convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). We believe in the infilling or empowering of the Holy Spirit, often a conscious experience, for ministry today. We believe in the practice of the laying on of hands for the empowering of the Spirit, for healing, and for recognizing and empowering those whom God has ordained to lead and serve the Church (John 15:26; 16:7; 8:13; Titus 3:5; Acts 1:8). We believe in all the gifts of the Spirit (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 14:39-40; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:8-11). We believe in the reality of angels, both good and fallen. This includes Satan, the enemy of God, whose doom is sure (Rev. 20:7-10; Job 1:6; Heb. 1:14; Col. 2:15). We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned, and by sinning brought guilt on himself and the human race, which results in not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Rom. 5:12, 18-19; Gen. 1:26-27, 2:16-17). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for man’s sins, and that all who trust and believe in Him (Rom. 10:9-10), and are walking in obedience to Him (Acts 5:32), have forgiveness of sins through His blood (1 Cor. 15:3;Eph. 1:7; John 3:16). We believe that Jesus could come back from heaven at any time; that His coming will be personal and visible,and that He will judge the living and the dead (Acts 1;11; John 5:28-29; 1 Thes. 4:14-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-53). We believe that a person becomes a child of God by trusting Jesus and the forgiveness that He provides (Rom.10:9-10). Repentance, thus, becomes a way of life (1 John 1:8-9). Following the example of Jesus, baptism by immersion is our pledge of a good conscience towards God (1 Pet. 3:21) and a symbolic representation of His death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:4). Active faith, a lifestyle of repentance and baptism into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all part of God’s design to bring us into relationship with Himself (Matt. 28:19-20;John 1:12-13; Titus 3:8; Acts 2:21, 38). We believe that the Church, formed by Christ, is made up of all true believers, and that the great commission to make disciples of all nations is the supreme mission of the church in this age (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Matt. 28:19-20;16:18). We believe that marriage is an institution ordained by God as recorded in the Bible, and hereby affirms the historic belief that marriage is the covenant union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others (Eph.5:31-33; Gen. 2:24). We further affirm the historic belief that God’s ideal for marriage is to be expressed only in a heterosexual, monogamous relationship – a “one flesh” union, sacred and blessed by God. Therefore all marriages performed by the Divine Encounter Fellowship and all ministers solemnizing marriage through the Divine Encounter Fellowship have been and shall continue to be under the authority of this affirmation. We believe that the Church has two ordinances – water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the symbol and expression of believing in Christ and confessing Him as Lord. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of His sacrificial death (1 Cor. 11:23-25; 1 Pet. 3:20-22). We believe that the Christian Life is to be God-centered; a life belonging to God. It lives out the teachings of the Scriptures and is dedicated to serving Christ the Lord (Eph. 2:10; Rom. 12:1-2; James 2:14-26.